The Great Conversations Series celebrating UND's 125th anniversary starts today with Salman Rushdie, also part of the UND Writers Conference going on this week (info at http://www.und.edu/org/writers/index.html). The author of "Midnight's Children," a Booker Prize novel, Rushdie will engage in a conversation with UND English professor Rebecca Weaver Hightower Tuesday, March 25, at 7 p.m. in the Chester Fritz Auditorium.

Professor Sharon Wilsnack, a globally renowned researcher on women and alcohol and a neuroscientist at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, has accepted an invitation to serve a four-year term on a grant review study section of the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) Center for Scientific Review (CSR).

NIH selects members for this prestigious assignment based on their demonstrated competence and achievement in their scientific discipline. Wilsnack and her research partner and husband, Richard Wilsnack, established a pace-setting cross-cultural research program on women and alcohol, working with research teams in more than 40 countries. The Wilsnacks also direct a national longitudinal study of U.S. women’s drinking. At 20-plus years, it is the world’s longest-running study of its kind and netted Wilsnack an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey show and many other media appearances. The Wilsnacks’ research has been funded continuously since 1980 by the NIH’s National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, with funding exceeding $12.5 million.

In her seat on the NIH review team, Wilsnack, who earned the coveted UND Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor title for her stellar research and teaching, will be part of the CSR’s Behavioral Genetics and Epidemiology Study Section. Study sections review grant applications submitted to the NIH, make recommendations about the applications, and survey the status OF research in their fields of science. These functions are vital to medical and allied research. -- School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

The role diet and the environment play in causing Alzheimer’s disease is the focus of new funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for a biomedical research scientist at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Othman Ghribi received a five-year RO1 grant, totaling nearly $1.5 million, from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to study the links between high cholesterol levels and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

This is the largest individual grant awarded to a UND researcher for the study of Alzheimer’s disease. RO1 grants are very difficult to obtain and are awarded to relatively few researchers.

Investigations to date in Dr. Ghribi’s lab have suggested that high cholesterol levels in the blood may be a risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease, he says.

In addition to cholesterol, trace metals such as iron have also been suspected to play a role in the “sporadic” forms of AD, by far the most prevalent form of the disease. A much smaller proportion of AD cases are related to a genetic mutation, he said. “In the absence of known genetic factors that lead to the sporadic form of the disease, any knowledge about risk factors that can cause or exacerbate the disease would allow us to better understand the pathophysiology of this disease,” said Ghribi, assistant professor of pharmacology, physiology and therapeutics.

It’s been shown that people with high cholesterol as well as high levels of iron in the brain are more susceptible to have the disease than people who have either high cholesterol or high levels of iron in the brain, Ghribi says.

However, to date “there’s been no animal model that combines these two risk factors to help us understand the progression of AD,” he said. It’s the combination of the risk factors, high levels of cholesterol and iron, that interests him most. He has developed an animal model that exhibits both increased cholesterol and iron levels to test his hypothesis.

“It is estimated that about five million U.S. citizens have Alzheimer’s disease,” Ghribi said. “If we don’t find some answer about its cause or the mechanisms that lead to the disease, that number will increase to 15 million people by 2050. That’s a huge health, economic and emotional burden for the people living with Alzheimer’s, the families of these people, and the government.”

Ghribi expects that, by the end of his study, “I will have a better understanding of some of the factors that lead to Alzheimer’s disease,” he said, and “if we find that the metabolism of cholesterol and/or iron is a risk factor of Alzheimer’s disease, then regulation of the metabolism of these molecules may prevent or stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.”

The NIH grant will support the hiring of three or four employees to work in his laboratory.

Ghribi’s investigations were initially funded by North Dakota Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network (BRIN), now called the North Dakota IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE). More recently, his studies have been funded by the Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE), a highly competitive federal initiative that helps support researchers in states which traditionally have not attracted large amounts of NIH research funding. -- Shelley Pohlman, Admin Secretary, Public Affairs, spohlman@medicine.nodak.edu, 701-777-4305

Applications are being accepted for the extended (summer) Writing Across the Curriculum faculty workshop to be held in six sessions from 8:30 a.m. to noon Friday, May 16, and Monday through Friday, May 19-23.

Participation provides an opportunity for faculty at all levels of experience and from all disciplines to consider and reconsider the writing that students do (or could be doing) in their courses. Issues from creating writing assignments to grading student papers will be addressed and participants will be able to get valuable feedback from other members of the group.

This workshop might also be of special interest to faculty who are revisiting writing in new or existing courses as they consider Essential Studies Advanced Communication goals.

Stephen G. Harvey, a Philadelphia attorney, will discuss the landmark case of Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District, which was the first challenge in U.S. Federal Court against a public school district that required teaching Intelligent Design as an alternative to evolution. The lecture will be presented at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, in the Baker Courtroom, UND School of Law. The lecture is free and open to the public.

The scientific community calls intelligent design a “pseudoscience.” Proponents say it is the best explanation for the creation of the universe. The Dover Area School District required the teaching of intelligent design to ninth grade students, but Tammy Kitzmiller and other parents of children in Dover, Pa., believed this religious-based idea had no place in public education. Harvey, along with other attorneys, represented Kitzmiller and other parents in the case.

The court ordered the district to stop reasoning that the policy violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States. The Dover mandate barred intelligent design from being taught in Pennsylvania's Middle District public school science classrooms.

Harvey is a partner in the Litigation Department of Pepper Hamilton LLP in Philadelphia. He concentrates his practice in financial services and commercial litigation. Harvey received his B.A. in 1982 from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and his J.D., magna cum laude, in 1989 from Villanova University School of Law. He represented the plaintiffs in the Kitzmiller case pro bono. -- Rob Carolin, Director of Alumni & Public Relations, Law School, carolin@law.und.edu, 777-2856

The final two candidates for the athletic director position will visit Grand Forks and the University community this week and the public is invited to attend an open meet and greet session for each.

Tim Hickman, associate athletics director for operations at the University of Missouri, will be in Grand Forks March 24-26 and will meet with the public Tuesday, March 25, at 5:30 p.m. in the Pheasant Room at the Alerus Center.

Tim Leonard, associate athletics director/assistant vice president for athletic development at the University of Central Florida, will be in Grand Forks March 25-27 and will meet with the public Wednesday, March 26, at 5:30 p.m. in the Pheasant Room at the Alerus Center.

The Pheasant Room can be accessed by using entrances 5 and 6 at the Alerus Center.

Hickman and Leonard are the final two of four candidates for the athletic director position. Brian Faison and Tom Sadler made their on-campus visits earlier this month.

Want to learn about what students are saying about UND? Come to the U2 session sponsored by Institutional Research Thursday, March 27, 10 to 11 a.m., in Swanson Hall, Room 10-12. This session will summarize some of the key findings from the several surveys that UND students fill out. The session will illustrate some of the trends over the last several years and show how UND compares with other institutions. Some of the surveys highlighted will include: the CIRP Freshman Survey, Student Satisfaction Inventory, National Survey of Student Engagement, Placement Survey, and Alumni Survey. While these surveys are directed to all UND students, some of the survey data is available at the department and/or college level. To register: www.conted.und.edu/U2 or U2@mail.und.edu or call 777-2128.-- Kathy Williams, U2 Coordinator, University Within the University (U2) Program, kathrynwilliams@mail.und.edu, 777-4266

Thursday, March 27, is Russia Night at the Loading Dock in the Memorial Union. Come learn about the culture and customs of Russia and stay to try some Russian food. The program begins at 7 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Food is $1 to sample. -- Shannon Jolly, International Student Advisor, International Programs, shannonjolly@mail.und.edu, 7-4118

A special storytime event showcasing the talents of people with Down syndrome, is set from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday March 27, at the Barnes & Noble UND Bookstore. Enjoy music by Matt Houska, an art exhibit by Karen Miller, and stories with Mary Jo Esslinger and Kimberly Rygg.

United States Attorney Drew Wrigley and Linda Walker, mother of Dru Sjodin, will present a lecture titled “In the Limelight or Lost in It? The Victim and the Victim’s Family During a High-Profile Trial” at 3 p.m. Friday, March 28, in the School of Law Baker Courtroom. The lecture is free and open to the public.

University of North Dakota student Dru Sjodin disappeared Nov. 22, 2003. Alfonso Rodriguez Jr. was arrested days later. For the next three years, Dru Sjodin’s family attended countless court proceedings. The process ultimately ended in a conviction and death sentence.

Wrigley and Walker will discuss the effectiveness of our current system in recognizing the role of the victim and improvements which could be made. The focus of this presentation will not be the case itself but rather the role the victim and her family played in it. Wrigley will update the audience on the pending appeal for Alfonso Rodriguez Jr., and Walker will discuss her experience and emotion as she followed the developments in her daughter’s case for three years. -- Rob Carolin, Director of Alumni & Public Relations, Law School, carolin@law.und.edu, 777-2856

A farewell reception will honor John L. Watson, dean of the School of Engineering and Mines, from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, March 28, in the North Dakota Museum of Art. Dr. Watson joined the School of Engineering and Mines as dean in October 2001, after working in industry and academe in England, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. He most recently spent 20 years at the University of Missouri-Rolla, with 12 years as chair of the Department of Metallurgical Engineering. He and his wife Ann are retiring to Georgia at the end of March. Please join us as we wish them well.

Help us celebrate with Janet Zeman (Parking Office) at her retirement open house Friday, March 28, in the Terrace Dining Center from 2 to 4 p.m. She has worked for the past 20 years at the University. She worked at the bookstore in the Memorial Union, for the Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and for the past 10 years in the Parking Office. Join us as we wish her a happy, healthy retirement.

Due to overwhelming response to our Feb. 13 On Teaching discussion, we are offering a repeat session of “Course Design Considerations for Online Delivery.” Clearly, distance learning is an important growth area in higher education. At UND many on-campus courses utilize online delivery for some aspects of the curriculum while Continuing Education offers students both semester and independent study formats for completing courses completely online. Many teachers are concerned about the implications of distance delivery for their classes and student learning, and are working hard to measure and assess how students learn in these online delivery formats, employing a variety of techniques for engaging and motivating students and assessing their learning.

Jane Sims (continuing education), Katherine Anderson (teaching and learning), Victoria Beard (associate provost), and Joshua Reidy (dean, outreach programs) will present "Course Design Considerations for Online Delivery," a second time from 3 to 4 p.m. Friday, March 28, in Swanson 10/12. They will share techniques for enhancing student learning in distance delivery formats. We will also discuss how continuing education courses are evolving to mainstream into the UND campus community.

Mike Szymanski, migratory game bird biologist, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, will present a biology seminar at noon Friday, March 28, in 141 Starcher Hall. He will address "What It Takes To Have A Migratory Bird Hunting Season, And Insights To Waterfowl Harvest Management."

Glenn I. Hatton, professor with the Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience at the University of California Riverside, will present a seminar titled "Plasticity, Neuronal Bursting and G-protein Coupled Receptors" at 4 p.m. Friday, March 28, in the Clifford Haugen Lecture Hall, Room 1360, School of Medicine.

This seminar is sponsored by the Center of Biomedical Research Excellence Pathophysiological Signalling in Neurodegenerative Disorders and the Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Therapeutics. All are welcome to attend.-- Deb Kroese, Administrative Officer, Pharmacology, Physiology & Therapeutics, dkroese@medicine.nodak.edu, 777-6221

A colloquium presentation, "Shedding Light on Dark Energy," by Wayne Barkhouse, assistant professor of physics, will be given Friday, March 28, at 4 p.m. in 111 Ryan Hall.

One decade ago, the astrophysics community was shaken to its core with the announcement that the expansion rate of the Universe was speeding up rather than slowing down due to gravity. This discovery - corroborated at the time by two independent teams searching for supernovae - indicates that the Universe is filled with a mysterious negative pressure or "dark energy." For the past 10 years, theorists have invoked numerous mechanisms to help explain this force, including Einstein's cosmological constant, extra dimensions, quintessence, and even hypothesizing the breakdown of general relativity on cosmological scales.

To acquire a deeper understanding of dark energy, the Dark Energy Task Force (jointly commissioned by NASA, DOE, and NSF) has recommended that an aggressive program be established to fully characterize dark energy. A part of this process includes support for a new large-area, ground-based optical survey to chart the position and brightness of
several hundred million galaxies out to a redshift of order unity. The leading contender that will satisfy these requirements is the Dark Energy Survey (DES).

The DES is a 5,000-square-degree photometric survey that will image the South Galactic Cap in multiple filters (griz), using a new three-square-degree CCD camera mounted to the Blanco four-meter telescope in Chile. The nature of dark energy will be probed utilizing four independent but complementary techniques: the redshift distribution of galaxy clusters, weak gravitational lensing by large-scale structure, the angular correlation of galaxies as imprinted in the baryon acoustic oscillations, and supernova distances. As a member of the DES, Barkhouse will explain how these techniques will allow us to unravel the mystery of dark energy.

Kelley Crews, associate professor of geography and the environment at the University of Texas in Austin, will present "The Human Dimensions of Land Cover and Land Use Change in Tropical Systems" at 3 p.m. Friday, March 28, in Room 210, Clifford Hall Auditorium.

Dr. Crews received her Ph.D. in geography from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2000, and also holds degrees in marine science and public policy. She founded and directs the new University of Texas Geographic Information Science Center.

Her thematic research interests include remote sensing, population-environment interactions, landscape ecology, and policy analysis. Geographically her work focuses on tropical and subtropical forest/savanna/wetland ecotones in the western Amazon, the Okavango Delta of Botswana, and Northeast Thailand.

The presentation is part of the UND Earth System Science and Policy spring 2008 colloquium Series. For more information contact Michael Hill at 777-6071, or hillmj@aero.und.edu.

Acclaimed vocalist Job Christenson and accompanist Marlys Murphy present a spring "Friday Night Cabaret" at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 28, at the Fire Hall Theatre, 412 Second Ave. N., betwen City Hall and Central High School Auditorium. Christenson will present jazz and Broadway selections, and have copies of his CD, "Each Day," available for purchase.

Admission is $15 at the door. Proceeds from the Friday Night Cabaret series benefit the artist and the Greater Grand Forks Community Theatre. Wine and hors d'ouvres will be served.-- Benjamin Klipfel, Executive Director, Greater Grand Forks Community Theatre, benjamin.klipfel@und.nodak.edu, 7-0857

The UND men's hockey team will make its 23rd NCAA tournament appearance when the Fighting Sioux take on Princeton at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 29, in the NCAA Midwest Regional at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.

The winner of the UND-Princeton game will advance to the Midwest Region championship game at 6 p.m. Sunday, March 30, against the winner of the Midwest Region's other semifinal game between Wisconsin and Denver.

The Midwest Region champion will advance to the NCAA Frozen Four in Denver, Colo., on April 10 and 12.

In its 22 previous NCAA tournament appearances UND has won seven national titles and finished as national runner-up five times. The Sioux have a 38-17 overall NCAA tournament record and .691 NCAA tournament winning percentage. UND has advanced to the NCAA Frozen Four 17 times, including the last three years in a row.

This season the Fighting Sioux are 26-10-4 overall. The Sioux finished second in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association regular season standings with a conference record of 18-7-3. UND defeated Michigan Tech two games to one in the first round of the WCHA playoffs to advance to the WCHA Final Five in St. Paul, Minn. There UND lost 2-1 to Denver in a Final Five semifinal game before defeating league regular-season champion Colorado College 4-2 on Saturday in the Final Five third-place game.

Tickets are good for all three games of the weekend and cost $65 each to the general public. A service charge will be added to ticket orders. All games will be played at the Kohl Center. The building will not be cleared between games on Saturday and re-entry will not be permitted. All tickets are reserved seating. Children under 2 do not need a ticket. Tickets will be mailed within two to three days of purchasing them. -- Athletics.-- Jan Orvik, Writer/Editor, University Relations, janorvik@mail.und.nodak.edu, 777-3621

On Monday, March 31, the Center for Instructional and Learning Technologies/ITSS will host its monthly Technology Trends Forum. Kristen Borysewicz, art bibliographer from the Chester Fritz Library, and Chuck Kimmerle, photographer from University Relations, along with Lori Swinney, Elizabeth Becker and Chad Bushy from CILT, will present information on adding pictures and graphics to your course.
This forum will cover:
* What are image hosting sites (Flickr and Photobucket?)
* What is the Library of Congress doing with images and Flickr?
* How can the Chester Fritz Library's Artstor be used in your course?
* What are the copyright policies for pictures and graphics?
* How to use UND photos and other web images.

The forum will be held from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Monday, March 31, in the River Valley Room, Memorial Union. This forum is open to faculty, staff and students. To register, please call Diane Lundeen at 777-2129 or e-mail ciltworkshops@mail.und.edu.-- Diane Lundeen, Technology Coordinator, Center for Instructional & Learning Technologies/ITSS, dianelundeen@mail.und.edu, 701-777-2129

The Graduate School is excited to host Jean Twinge, author of “Generation Me." Dr. Twenge’s lecture will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, in the Lecture Bowl, Memorial Union. The title of her lecture is “Generation Me: How When You Were Born Influences Your Personality and Outlook on Life.” Please join us for refreshments in the Fireside Lounge at 3.30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

For more information about Dr. Twenge's research, and for reviews of "Generation Me", visit her Web site at www.generationme.org-- Susan Caraher, Marketing & External Relations, The Graduate School, susancaraher@mail.und.edu, 777-2524

Do you teach a large introductory style survey course, and have you wondered about the choices students make in regard to preparing for your class? Perhaps you have posted all sorts of materials online, but question how they are being utilized? Maybe you have even suspected that some of the strategies that students use outside class are ineffective and that your students make poor choices about studying for your class even though more productive options are available.

The April 2 On Teaching session titled, "Using Technology to Facilitate Student Learning in Large Introductory Courses: Implications of Research Findings" will feature Mark Grabe (psychology) discussing the use of online technology to analyze student learning strategies in large introductory courses. Tapping into the online environment has allowed him to collect data on how students utilize out-of-class study options made available to them. We will also hear from Dr. Grabe about his research tools (including a wiki project for constructing class notes) and findings based on UND students in his Introduction to Psychology courses. A discussion will follow on the factors that influence student performance in large classes and potential ways to help students be more effective once they leave the classroom.

This session will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, in the Red River Valley Room, Memorial Union. To register and reserve a free box lunch, call Jana Hollands at 777-4998 by noon Monday, March 31. Please indicate if you require a vegetarian meal.-- Anne Kelsch, Director, Office of Instructional Development, anne.kelsch@und.nodak.edu, 701-777-4233

Join the Campus Ministry Association, representing Christus Rex, Newman Center, United Campus Ministry, and Wittenberg Lutheran Chapel, for the spring Theology for Lunch series. The topic for the spring series will be:

Bill Ayers, Distinguished Professor of Education at the University of Illinois, Chicago, will give a talk, "Freedom Now!", at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 3, in the the Ballroom, Memorial Union. There will be a book signing after the talk, with book sales of Dr. Ayers's recent texts available outside the lecture at the Ballroom from 6 to 9 p.m., courtesy of UND Barnes & Noble.

The Department of Educational Foundations and Research, The College of Education and Human Development and Students for a Democratic Society present the talk.-- Richard Kahn, Assistant Professor of Educational Foundations and Research, EFR, richard.kahn@und.edu, 777-3431

The Cooperstown (N.D.) Medical Center has been selected as one of two sites in North Dakota to host a community forum on the future of rural health care, facilitated by the Center for Rural Health. The forum will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 3, at the Park Place Assisted Living Facility, 1204 Park Place Ave., Cooperstown, N.D. It is open to anyone with an interest in the health and well-being of rural people and communities across the upper Midwest.

The forum will focus on the future of rural health care and feature a keynote presentation by Brad Gibbens, associate director for community development and policy at the UND Center for Rural Health.

“This is an excellent opportunity for us to learn about rural health care from one of the state’s top experts,” said Greg Stomp, Cooperstown Medical Center administrator. “Citizens can voice their concerns as well as offer ideas for solutions to make rural health care in Cooperstown and North Dakota better."

Attendees will participate in facilitated discussions on items such as health care costs, maintaining access to quality services, and health care workforce availability.

“Rural health care is important not only for improving health status, but also as part of the rural economic system. Rural health organizations are typically in the top two employers in a community,” said Gibbens. “However, the viability of such organizations is more and more threatened. Public discussion and input is critical to thinking through options for the future of rural health in North Dakota.

“Our goal in having these community meetings is to offer health care consumers a chance to learn more about rural health at the national and state level. Health care is in the national spotlight and is an important subject in the upcoming elections. A community meeting allows people to also share their thoughts on what they see as issues, what they see that is working, and how health care should be reformed.”

The final examination for Sofokli Garo, a candidate for the Ph.D. degree with a major in teaching and learning, is set for 9 a.m. Friday, April 4, in Room 206, Education Building. The dissertation title is "Educational Practices and Students' Achievement in Algebra 1: A Cross-Cultural Perspective." Lars Helgeson (teaching and learning) and Michele Iiams (mathematics) are the committee co-chairs. The public is invited to attend. -- Joseph Benoit, Dean, Graduate School, joseph.benoit@und.edu, 777-4005

The UND Student Success Center will hold the Transfer Getting Started program Saturday, April 5, to which new transfer students, admitted for the summer and fall 2008 semesters, are invited to campus for advisement and registration. Program activities include a welcome to the University, presentations from various student service areas, and advisement and registration. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact the Student Success Center at 777-2117.-- Angie Carpenter, Assistant Director of Programs, Student Success Center, angiecarpenter@mail.und.nodak.edu, 777-3910

UND Student Ambassadors and Night Life will host the second annual “UND’s Got Talent” search. UND students or organizations are encouraged to bring their talent and audition. The auditions are from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, April 5, in the Ballroom, Memorial Union.

Video clips of the top three acts from the audition will be placed online. The new fall 2008 incoming students will have the opportunity to view the clips and vote on their favorite act. The act with the most votes will perform in the opening sessions during Welcome Weekend Saturday, Aug. 23, and will also receive $500.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. On Saturday, April 5, from 8 to 10 a.m., you can eat all you want at the Grand Forks and East Grand Forks Applebee's locations for $5. The proceeds go toward scholarships for NDCAWS in memory of Dru Sjodin (UND), Mindy Morgenstern (Valley City State University), and Anita Knutson (Minot State University). For more information, visit DrusDive@msn.com for www.ndcaws.

The Global Visions film series will present "The Clay Bird" (Bangladesh) at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, in the Lecture Bowl, Memorial Union. Admission is free.

This is probably an unusual, but perhaps apt, time for this intelligent drama, easily one of the finest pictures of 2003 or any other year. Tareque Masud's expansive fluidity is rapturous, inspired equally by the floating equanimity of Satyajit Ray and the work of the Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami, who deftly uses ritual behavior to provide social commentary. Set in Bangladesh in the 1960s, "The Clay Bird" questions the nature of dedication to Islam. It doesn't attack fealty but eventually rebukes zealotry by showing a boy's reaction to his father's recent total immersion. Anu (Nurul Islam Bablu) is sent off to a religious school by his father, Kazi (Jayanto Chattopadhyay). Kazi doesn't want his son tainted by the outside world. His obedient though doubtful wife, Ayesha (Rokeya Prachy), quietly expresses through frowns her concern about Kazi's close-minded new seriousness. She gently reasons with her boy, and the bright Anu resigns himself to his new life. Mr. Masud's sensitivity gives the film a pungent emotional clarity; he recognizes that naïveté isn't a province only of childhood. Kazi's a naïf, too, and learns the hard way that following a path without independent thought is a fool's errand. He's ultimately devastated when he learns of the civil war and Muslims attacking other Muslims: the revolution is coming, and it claims Kazi's way of life. — Elvis Mitchell, The New York Times

The Department of Anthropology’s Global Visions film series brings an exciting array of films to the community of Grand Forks for the fifth consecutive year. Two films are presented each month in the Memorial Union Lecture Bowl. The series is currently the only venue in Grand Forks to view award-winning, nationally recognized independent films from a wide variety of contemporary film makers around the world.

All films are at 7 p.m. on various Tuesday evenings between now and the end of April at the UND Memorial Union Lecture Bowl. The series, free and open to the public, is partially funded by the Multicultural Awareness Committee. Filmgoers are encouraged to come early to ensure a seat.

The last movie will be April 22, "The Wind Will Carry Us" (Iran).

This series is funded by the Multicultural Awareness Committee, and the Department of Anthropology and the Anthropology Club.-- Marcia Mikulak, Assistant Professor, Anthropology, marcia.mikulak@und.nodak.edu, 777-4718

The final examination for Dan Thomas Jensen, a candidate for the Ph.D. degree with a major in educational leadership, is set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 9, in Room 206, Education Building. The dissertation title is: "Catholic Identity and Mission in Post Ex Corde Ecclesiae Catholic Higher Education: The Perceptions and Experiences of Lay Faculty at a Jesuit University." Margaret Healy (educational leadership) is the committee chair. The public is invited to attend. -- Joseph Benoit, Dean, The Graduate School, joseph.benoit@und.edu, 777-4005

Faculty asked to announce focus group on keeping young workers in North Dakota

College students are the future leaders of the North Dakota business community. On Wednesday, April 9, the Legislative Council’s Interim Workforce Committee wants to meet with college students and young professionals from across the state to hear their ideas about enhancing the state’s workforce system. The meeting will be held at the Nafus Center, Jamestown College, Jamestown, N.D. Registration is at 9:30 a.m., with the focus group from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (includes free lunch and free parking). Please RSVP to www.luvnd.com/workforce

The committee already held four focus groups across the state and heard from 238 business and community leaders. One of the resounding comments from those who attended these meetings was, “Where are the young people?” The focus group Wednesday, April 9, is a direct result of this feedback, and the committee encourages faculty to involve your college students in this process.

In addition, the committee will meet with business and community leaders (of all ages) Thursday, April 10, in the House Chambers at the State Capitol. This day-long session is the next step toward a better, more effective workforce system for North Dakota.

Thank you in advance for your support of this process and for encouraging your college students to attend the focus group meeting April 9 in Jamestown.

The University of North Dakota, in conjunction with the North Dakota University System Diversity Council and Multicultural Awareness Committee (MAC), will sponsor the 2008 Diversity Conference April 9-10, at the Memorial Union. This year’s theme, “Understanding the Experience,” provides participants with the opportunity to learn about issues that challenge current understandings of the world around us, including race, ethnicity, religion, culture, sexual orientation, life style, and learning.

This year’s keynotes will be delivered by two well-known speakers on diversity issues:

Valerie Red-Horse, successful entrepreneur and award-winning filmmaker, is a well-known investment banker on Wall Street, where she is responsible for leading over $2 billion in tribal finance or industry related transactions. Red-Horse is also the founder of an American Indian non-profit training organization and Presbyterian Dance Ministry, is an active mother of three, and has been married to former NFL football player Curt Mohl for 26 years. Her keynote will address the shaping of Hollywood images and how they ultimately affect the Native American community.

Ahmed I. Samatar, James Wallace Professor of International Studies and Dean of the Institute for Global Citizenship at Macalester College, has lectured at many universities and colleges in countries across the globe, including Amsterdam, New Zealand, Africa, Brazil, Norway, United Kingdom and Canada, as well as prominent U.S. institutions like Cornell, Harvard, York, Wellesley College, and the University of Pennsylvania. During January 2007 and 2008, Samatar led a seminar on Globalization in Comparative Perspectives at the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands for a select cohort of Macalester students. His keynote will address the perspective of global citizenship and will focus on the issues of war and peace, social justice and freedom, and the environment.

The two-day conference will feature sessions by faculty and staff from the University of North Dakota and other institutions, as well as other nationally known speakers and panelists. Session topics will include current challenges in education that impact perceptions of economic status, class, sexual orientation, race and ethnic backgrounds, religion and culture, learning styles, images in society, and more. Through “Understanding the Experience,” participants will gain a broader appreciation and commitment to diversity by learning to respect differences and promote support for others in learning environments and broader communities.

The purpose of the diversity conference is to educate communities to be responsive to the needs of all publics and encourage training in campus and community human relations. Members of the North Dakota higher education institutions, other institutions within the region, and the public are invited to attend to learn about diversity issues that impact the lives of students, faculty, staff, and the broader community.

There is no cost to attend the 2008 Diversity Conference. All participants must pre-register by March 31 to determine counts for meals and materials. Registration includes entry to all panel discussions and conference events, supplemental resource materials, all meals and breaks. The conference is coordinated by the UND Office of Conference Services.

The University Curriculum Committee will meet at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10, 305 Twamley Hall, to discuss the proposed requests to terminate the major and minor in Vocational Marketing Education. All interested parties are invited to attend.-- Connie Borboa, Admissions and Records Officer, Office of the Registrar, connieborboa@mail.und.nodak.edu, 7-4852

Save the Date! The 2008 R&D Showcase event, which is alternately hosted by UND and NDSU, is scheduled for April 16 and 17 at the Fargodome. Please view the preliminary agenda for the meeting at http://www.ndsuresearchpark.com/pdf/RDShowcase2008.pdf .

It's a small world in a global economy. Join North Dakota's universities and technology partners to learn how the state's economy is being shaped by research and technology developments. Learn how our research universities are working with the state, federal and private sectors to spur technology-led economic development.

Keynote speakers include: Yongmaan Park, chair of Doosan Infracore Co., Ltd. (Bobcat); Dan Berglund, CEO of State Science and Technology Institute; Jeffrey Black, chair and CEO of Teleflex, Inc.; and Roger Brown, technology and innovation manager at Akzo Nobel Aerospace Coatings. State and local economic development officials, as well as university researchers, will cover developments in technology, successful partnerships and programs, and their statewide impacts.

What you'll discover:
-Find out how you can partner in these technology initiatives
-Learn more about R&D tax credits
-Identify global opportunities
-Hear about North Dakota's technology businesses
-Learn how federal, state, local and university research partnerships fuel economic development

Go to http://www.ndsuresearchpark.com ( http://www.ndsuresearchpark.com/ ) to view a complete program and register!

The third annual Antique to Chic jewelry sale and raffle will be held at the North Dakota Museum of Art from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 4. We are seeking costume or more valuable jewelry, scarves and accessories to be donated for the sale. All proceeds will go to the Museum's children’s programs.

Jewelry donations can be brought to the North Dakota Museum of Art or you can call for pick-up. Contact Sue Fink at 777-4195 for more information. -- Sue Fink, Director of Education, North Dakota Museum of Art, sfink@ndmoa.com, 701-777-4195

Hon. Myron H. Bright to be Law School Distinguished Jurist-in-Residence

Myron H. Bright, United States Circuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit, will be the Spring Distinguished Jurist-in-Residence at the School of Law March 26-27.

Judge Bright’s residency will be a celebration of 40 years of distinguished service on the Federal bench, and it will be highlighted by a celebration dinner at which he will receive the Liberty Bell Award from the North Dakota State Bar Association. The Liberty Bell Award is the Bar Association’s highest award for a nonlawyer and recognizes legal-related community service. In addition, Judge Bright will provide two student lectures about the art of judging and dealing with witnesses, conduct in-service training with the law school faculty, and do informal visit sessions with law students.

Judge Bright was appointed United States Circuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968. He served in that capacity as an active circuit judge from August 16 of that year until June 1, 1985, and since that time as a senior circuit judge, considering over 6,000 cases in all. Judge Bright has served his country with distinction. His philosophy of fairness and justice has greatly influenced the Court's decisions in many important cases.

The Distinguished Jurist-in-Residence program brings outstanding judges to the UND School of Law and includes visits to classes, informal receptions, and a formal presentation by the judge. The program provides a unique and varied opportunity to learn about the bench and adds greatly to the law school experience of our students, faculty and staff.-- Rob Carolin, Director of Alumni & Public Relations, Law School, carolin@law.und.edu, 777-2856

Michael Mann has been named interim dean of the School of Engineering and Mines. Dr. Mann currently serves as chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering. His principal areas of interest and expertise include advanced processes and technologies within the energy industry. Dr. Mann previously served as a group and project manager at the EERC, where he supervised groups ranging in size up to 29 professionals. As an accomplished teacher, researcher, and manager, we are delighted that Dr. Mann has agreed to serve as interim dean of the School of Engineering and Mines. He is a highly respected faculty member and department chair in the School, and brings a wealth of talent to this critical leadership position. Dr. Mann’s appointment begins April 1 and will continue through June 30, 2008, or such time that a permanent dean of the School of Engineering and Mines takes office. -- School of Engineering and Mines.

Michelle Eslinger has been named director of Student Health Services. She comes to us from the UND Bismarck Family Medicine Center, and holds an MBA from UND. She will begin her position Tuesday, March 25. -- Linda Palmiscno, Medical Office Manager, Student Health Services, lindapalmiscno@mail.und.ed, 777-2546

The University of North Dakota has named Sheri Haugen-Hoffart the new coordinator of the UND Bismarck Center. A native of Rugby, N.D., Haugen-Hoffart received her bachelor of arts in psychology from UND in 1988, and a master’s degree in management from the University of Mary in Bismarck. She previously served as director of development for the American Lung Association, director of education for the Mental Health Association and emergency services director for the American Red Cross.

Haugen-Hoffart is currently active as president elect of the Bismarck Kiwanis Club and council member and Stephen minister at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and has visited many locations, including Norway, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Austria, and many states.

As coordinator of the UND Bismarck Center, Haugen-Hoffart will provide leadership in partnership development by exploring and nurturing new markets and programming opportunities in the Bismarck region. She is responsible for providing students with academic and career advising, facilitating customer service and other program logistics, and providing support services for UND faculty. Haugen-Hoffart will join Claudia Tomanek, director of the UND Bismarck Center, and Renee Nelson, administrative assistant. Together the team will work to extend the resources of the UND Bismarck Center to the surrounding community.

The UND Bismarck Center is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and is located at 1309 Shafer Street on the Bismarck State College Campus. The UND Bismarck Center, in cooperation with Bismarck State College, has been serving the Bismarck/Mandan area since 1976.

Find out more about the UND Bismarck Center at www.undbismarck.und.edu or by calling 701-224-5437.

Darla Adams has been named nurse anesthesia program director. Dr. Adams has served as interim program director of our nurse anesthesia program specialization since February 2005 and accepted the role as program director effective March 15, 2008.

Dr. Adams earned a Ph.D. in teaching and learning in December 2007. Her dissertation was titled “Adequacy of Labor Epidural Information for Informed Consent.”-- Chandice Covington, Dean, Nursing, chandicecovington@mail.und.edu, 777-4555

Proposals are due Friday, April 18, for the November 2008 conference, “Culture Matters: Designing Learning Environments to Foster Cultural Awareness and Intercultural Competence.”

The effects of culture are everywhere in higher education, providing abundant opportunities as well as challenges for strengthening college teaching and learning. They range from the implications of serving an increasingly diverse student population or integrating global learning into the curriculum to the ways each institution and discipline transmits its particular perspectives, values, and practices to new generations.

The goal of this conference is to explore the premise that culture, in all of its manifestations, is emerging as a fundamental influence on teaching and learning in the 21st century. Not only must today’s students be culturally aware and interculturally competent to be successful, but efforts to strengthen college teaching and learning can be helped or hindered according to whether cultural differences are taken into account. The learning-centered institution is one where reflection on diverse perspectives is embedded in its work and one where culture matters.

We’re seeking a broad range of strong proposals for concurrent sessions for the Nov. 21-22 conference. Proposals should address the conference theme and share successes, highlight innovations, and address challenges. The call for proposals can be found online at www.collab.org. Questions? Contact us at collab@collab.org or (651) 646-6166.-- Anne Kelsch, Director, Instructional Development, oid@und.nodak.edu, 777-3325

The Multicultural Awareness Committee (MAC), a standing committee of student government, is currently accepting applications for the faculty representative position.

To apply, interested faculty should submit their CV’s by 4 p.m. Friday, March 28. They can either be submitted electronically directly to Travis Dockter, chair of the committee, travis.docker@und.edu or to the student government office addressed to MAC.

The purpose of the Multicultural Awareness Committee is to increase awareness and understanding concerning the cultures of the world, especially those of the community and of the University of North Dakota. MAC does this in two ways. One is to fund student organizations who wish to put on events dealing with diverse issues and groups/cultures. The other is MAC attempts to achieve their mission by programming events which provide more appreciation or acknowledgment of various issues and groups.

The faculty position is a voting member of the Multicultural Awareness Committee. The faculty position, along with all MAC members, are expected to attend weekly MAC meetings to ensure the decision-making process is timely.-- Travis Dockter, Chair, Multicultural Awareness Committee , travis.dockter@und.nodak.edu, 701 740-7740

The last day to submit vouchers for 2007 FlexComp plan year is Monday, March 31. Expenses must have been incurred prior to March 16, 2008, in order to be eligible for 2007 reimbursement. No 2007 reimbursement vouchers will be accepted after 4:30 p.m. March 31.

No exceptions will be made for mail delays; it is advised that you hand-deliver your forms directly to the Payroll Office to ensure meeting the March 31 deadline.

If you have any questions or need any additional information, call Cheryl Arntz, Payroll Office, FlexComp specialist at 777-4423.

The University Within the University (U2) lists the following workshops.

What Students are Saying About UND (NEW)
March 27, 10 to 11 a.m., Room 10-12, Swanson Hall
This session summarizes some of the key findings from the several surveys that UND students fill out. The session will illustrate some of the trends over the last several years as well as show how we compare with other institutions. Some of the surveys that will be highlighted are the CIRP Freshman Survey, Student Satisfaction Inventory, National Survey of Student Engagement, Placement Survey, and Alumni Survey. While these surveys are directed to all UND students, some of the survey data is available at the department and/or college level. Come learn what students say about the U! Presenters: Carmen Williams and Sue Erickson.

Basic International Student Requirements for Faculty and Staff (NEW)
March 28, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., International Centre
It is important for faculty and staff who advise international students to be aware of the extra regulatory expectations placed on these students and what this may mean for their programs. This workshop will provide an overview of the basic requirements governing most international students’ ability to enter and remain in the United States for their studies - from admission to graduation. Topics addressed will include the visa application process, enrollment requirements, international student employment and social security, program completion requirements. Lunch will be provided by the International Centre. Presenters: Shannon Jolly and Anne Ekkaia.

Defensive Driving
April 1, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., 211 Skalicky Tech Incubator
This workshop is required by State Fleet for all UND employees who drive state vehicles on a regular (monthly) basis, received a traffic violation, or had an accident while operating a state vehicle. Employees are encouraged to bring a family member (spouse and/or dependents). This workshop may also reduce your North Dakota insurance premiums and could possibly remove points from your driving record.
Presenter: Eric Pearson

The Barnes & Noble at UND Spring Fling Sale continues through March 29, with 25 percent off men's and women's hats and short sleeve T-shirts. Stop in early for best selection.-- Michelle Abernathey, General Manager, Barnes & Noble at UND, michelle_abernathey@mail.und.nodak.edu, 777-2103

Registration for the North Dakota Museum of Art’s Summer Arts Day Camps begins April 15, 16 and 17 for those holding, renewing or purchasing family memberships. Registration continues for all others until camps are filled. This year's camps include painting, drawing, clay building, sculpture, nature and digital media. For more information contact Sue Fink at 777-4195 or sfink@ndmoa.com-- Sue Fink, Director of Education, North Dakota Museum of Art, sfink@ndmoa.com, 701-777-4195

Learn why car crashes are still the leading cause of death among teens on the next edition of Studio One. A study by State Farm Mutual Insurance Company found car crashes resulted in nearly 10,000 teen deaths during the past year. Decreased seatbelt use, high-speed driving, and driving under the influence lead to many of the accidents. Find out how many communities are encouraging safe driving practices.

Also on the show this week, photography and photo editing has changed greatly during the past 20 years. Award-winning photographer Chuck Kimmerle says the most significant changes to a photograph can now occur after a picture is taken. Watch as Kimmerle explains how photographs can be enhanced.

Studio One is an award-winning news and information program produced at the University of North Dakota Television Center. The program airs live on UND Channel 3 on Thursdays at 5 p.m. Re-broadcasts can be seen at 7 a.m., noon, 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. daily and on Saturdays at 10 a.m. Prairie Public Television airs Studio One on Saturday at 6 a.m. The program can also be seen by viewers in Fargo, Bismarck/Mandan and Minot, N.D.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Denver, Colo.; and Winnipeg, Manitoba.-- Meghan Flaagan, Director of Marketing, Television Center, meghan.flaagan@und.edu, 777-3818

March is National Nutrition Month. There are many advantages to eating a nutritious diet. The following information is on a topic that you might not readily consider — the importance of nutrition and your oral health.

Parents throughout the ages have said to their children: "You'd better eat that, it's good for you!" Here's another favorite: "Don't eat that, it'll rot your teeth!" Today, Americans face a bewildering array of food choices that range from fresh produce to sugar-laden processed convenience meals and snack foods. What we eat and when we eat it may affect not only our general health, but also our oral health.

Make Healthy Choices
The more often you eat and the longer foods stay in your mouth, the more damage occurs. Miles Hall, National Dental director for CIGNA Dental, offers these tips to maintain your smile:

• Snack wisely. Focus on eating healthy, nutritious and satisfying meals; but if you must snack, choose fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain products. Avoid hard candy, mints and sticky sweets that stay in your mouth for a long time. After treats, drink plenty of water to dilute the acid attacks.
• Limit sugar and starch. Sugary and starchy foods cause the bacteria in plaque to produce acids that break down tooth enamel, which may eventually cause decay. Eating a bit of cheddar, Monterey Jack or Swiss cheese stimulates saliva production, which helps neutralize these acids.
• Protect your teeth. Don’t chew ice or popcorn kernels. Don’t use your teeth as tools. And avoid tobacco: studies suggest it may cause gum disease.

Indulge yourself: brush, floss, and see your dentist!
• Use fluoride toothpaste. Brush at least twice a day, and always at bedtime; replace your soft-bristled brush every three to four months (earlier if it is frayed).
• Floss daily. A toothbrush cannot clean between teeth.
• Visit your dentist regularly. Have periodic cleanings to reduce damaging tartar buildup and ask your dentist if you are brushing and flossing properly.

*“CIGNA Dental” refers to the following operating subsidiaries of CIGNA Corporation: Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, and CIGNA Dental Health, Inc. and its operating subsidiaries and affiliates. This document is provided by CIGNA solely for informational purposes to promote consumer health. It does not constitute medical advice and is not intended to be a substitute for proper dental care provided by a dentist. CIGNA assumes no responsibility for any circumstances arising out of the use, misuse, interpretation or application of any information supplied in this document. Always consult with your doctor for appropriate examinations, treatment, testing, and care recommendations.

Attention employees -- help UND continue to be a Start! Fit-Friendly Company by participating in our sixth annual walking challenge. It will begin March 31, so sign up as a team or sign up as an individual to Start! increasing your walking.

Throughout the challenge, you will report your weekly steps from the week before. The first week, you will get points for each step you walk. For the following three weeks after that, you will get points based on the percentage increase of steps. Once all steps have been collected, your total points will be calculated and communicated to you within the week.

The team and individual with the most points by April 25 will be our big winners, each receiving a 1GB iPod Shuffle, valued at $50 each.

There are two easy ways to register:
1. Beginning March 25, fill out the short registration form online at www.workwell.und.edu2. E-mail amandaeickhoff@mail.und.edu or call 777-0210 with the following information:
• Team or individual name (maximum of five/team)
• Team members’ names (if applicable)
• Contact information
• Current daily steps
• Daily step goal, to be accomplished by April 25

All that register will receive a free pedometer (while supplies last), featuring a calorie calculator, timer, step/distance counter, clock, alarm, and stopwatch! So sign up and Start! walking your way to health!-- Amanda Eickhoff, Assistant Director for Work Well, Wellness Center, amandaeickhoff@mail.und.edu, 701.777.0210

Ray Richards is offering a winter golf special. Buy a punch card for five rounds of golf for $45 ($50-$63 value) or 10 rounds of golf for $90 ($100-$126 value). Added bonus: The buyer will receive a free round of golf for buying the 10-round punch card.

Also this year, you may buy a cart seat for each punch card. Five rounds of golf with a cart seat will cost $70 ($85-$98 value) or 10 rounds of golf with a cart seat for $140 ($170-$196 value). A free round is included with a 10-round purchase.

The Alerus Center announces the opportunity for purchase of season tailgating spaces for the upcoming 2008 UND football season. A limited number of season passes will be available to purchase at the UND spring game April 19, at the Alerus Center. Spaces are $30 per spot and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis, beginning at 8 a.m.

For those not interested or able to purchase season tailgating spaces, a limited number of single-game passes will be available for $10 per space on game days at the south entrance of the Alerus Center parking lot. -- Athletics.

Nominations for the Memorial Union Outstanding Student Leader Award, Outstanding Student Organization Advisor Award, and Outstanding Student Organization Award are now being accepted. Nomination submission forms and leadership award policies are available online at www.union.und.edu. You are strongly encouraged to nominate student leaders and student organization advisors who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and service.

The Outstanding Student Leader Award recognizes students who have exhibited exemplary leadership skills through their campus involvement, volunteer service efforts, on-campus employment, or other life experiences.

The Outstanding Student Organization Advisor Award recognizes student organization advisors for their commitment and dedication to students and their campus involvement.

The Outstanding Student Organization Awards recognize student organizations that have contributed in a significant way to the University and Grand Forks community over the past year. Nominations for this award should come from members of the organization.

Recipients of the awards will be honored at the Memorial Union Leadership Awards reception Thursday, May 1.

The following position vacancies are available only to regular UND staff employees who have successfully completed their six-month probation period, earn annual and sick leave, receive BC/BS health insurance and TIAA-CREF or ND PERS retirement benefits. Current UND Faculty, please contact Human Resources for eligibility.

Kenneth Ruit, associate professor of anatomy and cell biology, has been appointed to serve on the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS).

Ruit will serve a five-year term as a consultant-evaluator on the Higher Learning Commission, which accredits degree-granting educational institutions in the North Central region. The region includes more than 1,000 colleges and universities extending from West Virginia to Arizona and includes North Dakota.

Ruit was appointed on the basis of his experience in medical and graduate education, assessment of student learning, curriculum design and pedagogy.

Consultant-evaluators serve on visiting teams that comprehensively evaluate institutions of higher learning and provide the initial recommendations regarding accreditation. A consultant-evaluator usually visits one or two institutions each year as part of an accreditation team.

Founded in 1895 as one of six regional institutional accrediting bodies in the U.S., the Higher Learning Commission is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. -- Shelley Pohlman, Admin Secretary, Public Affairs, spohlman@medicine.nodak.edu, 701-777-4305

Ron Vossler's eighth book, "Wedding in the Darkness," has been published.

Subtitled "Three Accounts from Collectivization and the Great Terror, 1928-1938," the book draws on several hundred hours of survivor interviews, along with secret police reports, and numerous personal letters sent from Soviet Ukraine to the Dakotas in the 1930s.

The author, a senior lecturer in the English Department, and a recent appointee to the International Commission of the Ukrainian World Congress, draws on some of the same material as his film "We'll Meet Again in Heaven," one of an award-winning series that has premiered on Prairie Public Television.

The picture that emerges from these accounts is the manner in which Marxist tactics, including formation of Committees of the Poor, were instrumental in the wholesale repression in the ethnic German villages in the former Soviet Union.

Vossler's next research trip to Ukraine in May 2008 will focus in part on the role of the self protection units from German villages in the mass murder of Jews in 1941-1942 -- which is part of the focus of his next book, "German Ghosts."

Beulah M. Hedahl, retired professor of psychology, died March 17, at her home in Devils Lake, N.D. She was 87.

Hedahl, the daughter of Edwin and Clara (Berge) Hedahl, was born Sept. 12, 1920, in Bismarck, N.D. They lived at Mercer, N.D., and moved to Bismarck in 1928. She was educated in the Bismarck school system, graduating from Bismarck High School in 1937.

After graduating, Hedahl worked for her father in the family business in Bismarck, Hedahl Motor Supply. From 1939 to 1941, she attended Bismarck State College and was in the first graduating class. In 1942, she started school at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., but she had to return home in November 1942 because of her father's death. At the age of 22, she became the president and manager of Hedahl Motor Supply. Her two brothers were serving in World War II and it was up to her to decide if the business was worth saving. It was, and she forged ahead. Hedahl served on the board of directors for many years and in 2006 was elected to the board as board member emerita.

After her brothers returned from the war and took over the company in 1945, Hedahl returned to Concordia College and earned her B.A. degree in 1946. That fall she began graduate school at Washington State University at Pullman, Wash., and in 1948 earned her master's degree in English. From 1948 to 1951, she was dean of women and assistant professor of English at Pacific Lutheran in Tacoma, Wash.

In the fall of 1951, she entered graduate school at the University of Minnesota and earned a second master's degree in educational psychology in 1956. That fall she went to Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich., where she was employed as a counselor in the Counseling Center. While there, she completed work on her Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1958.

She came back to North Dakota as the director of the Counseling Center at the University of North Dakota. In 1972 she was promoted to full professor of psychology. From 1979 to 1981, she was chair of the Psychology Department. She was also senior counselor at the Counseling Center until she retired in 1983.

She moved to Bismarck and continued to serve on several doctoral committees. She donated her professional library to the Valerie Merrick Public and College Library at Fort Totten, N.D. In 2000, she moved to Devils Lake.

During her professional career she was very active at both the state and national levels. She was a member of the North Dakota Psychological Association, North Dakota Personnel and Guidance Association, American Psychological Association, American Personnel and Guidance Association, American Association of Counseling Directors, National Vocational Guidance Association, Association of Counselor Education and Supervision, Association for Higher Education, American Association of American Women, League of Women Voters, Phi Kappa Phi, and a life-long member of Pi Lambda Theta and Psi Chi.

Hedahl is listed in Who's Who of American Women. In 1980 she received the Outstanding Alumni Award from Bismarck State College Alumni Association. In 1981, she received the Lillian and Henry Barry Award in Human Relations from Phi Lambda Theta. For eight years, she served on the medical school admissions committee at UND. She served on the ad hoc Committee on Educational Provisions for Physically Disadvantaged Students and on the Committee for Indian Studies.

In 1979, Hedahl attended a National Conference on Consultation for Disabled Lutherans and in 1980 helped plan a state conference.

She had many other interests besides education. She was a strong supporter of the arts, especially music, and was also an avid reader. Her greatest interest and devotion was to help others. In the fall of 1973, she met Sharon Rance, a student at UND who was having a difficult time adjusting to college life and her physical disability. Hedahl invited Rance to live with her at a time when the University and the community were just beginning to provide services for physically disabled students.

Hedahl is survived by Sharon Rance of Devils Lake, sister-in-law Winnifred Coin-Hedahl of Bismarck, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Erling and Neil Hedahl and sister-in-law, Hazel.